Biochemistry Seminar: Prof. Vincent Lee (University of Maryland), "Pseudomonas aeruginosa nucleotide signaling, RNA degradation and device-associated infections"
- Event Type
- Seminar/Symposium
- Sponsor
- Department of Biochemistry (HOST: Dr. Joe Sanfilippo)
- Location
- Charles G. Miller Auditorium, B102 Chemical and Life Science Laboratory
- Date
- Dec 1, 2023 12:00 pm
- Speaker
- Dr. Vincent Lee
- Contact
- Cara Day
- caraday@illinois.edu
- Phone
- 217-333-2013
- Views
- 182
- Originating Calendar
- Biochemistry Department Seminars
- Abstract
Chronic biofilm infections are caused by a set of pathogens commonly referred to as ESKAPE pathogens, which includes Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These pathogens share their ability to form biofilms on medical device surfaces and resist antibiotic therapy. Cyclic-di-GMP is a signaling nucleotide that often promotes biofilm formation in bacteria. Cyclic-di-GMP is maintained in a steady state level by biosynthesis by diguanylate cyclases and linearization into pGpG by phoshpodiesterases. pGpG was recycled into GMP by an unknown enzyme. In this talk, I will discuss our work on understanding the signaling of c-di-GMP through identification of c-di-GMP receptor proteins, how pGpG is specifically degraded by oligoribonuclease (Orn), the structural characteristics of Orn, the basis for Orn essentiality, and how linear dinucleotides can serve as a quality control mechanism in prokaryotic cells. The talk will conclude on recent studies on the ability of P. aeruginosa to cause disease in an animal model of catheter-associated urinary tract infection.